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Bad breath, or halitosis as it’s known in medical fields, can be a potentially embarrassing condition. Caused by a build-up of bacteria in the mouth, the resulting odours can cause a variety of social issues, and the problem is exacerbated by the fact that most people are unlikely to tell you if your breath is unpleasant.

Why Have You Got Bad Breath?

There are many reasons as to why you may have bad breath. One of the most common problems that leads to bad smelling breath are cavities, though gum disease is also a significant factor. Cracked filings (which present an environment for bacteria to thrive) and unclean dentures can also contribute to bad breath.

There are also certain medical conditions that list bad breath as an unwanted side-effect, such as diabetes, chronic bronchitis and liver disease. Acid reflux can also produce unpleasant smelling breath.

5 Steps to Keep Bad Breath at Bay

If you’ve got bad breath and you want to cure it for good, here are 5 things that can help get things back to normal:

Regular check-ups at the dentist. Some people choose to avoid seeing their dentist regularly, especially if they don’t notice anything immediately wrong with their teeth. However, missing your dental check-ups can result in significant problems further down the line, including build-up of bacteria in the mouth; one of the most significant causes of bad breath.

Rather than avoiding the dentist, make sure you have regular check-ups; ideally at least once a year. This will help to ensure that bacteria isn’t given a chance to start growing in cavities or broken fillings, and that bad breath doesn’t occur as a result.

Invest in an electric toothbrush. Whilst standard toothbrushes are effective at cleaning teeth, electric toothbrushes are often more effective at getting in the smaller gaps that other toothbrushes cannot reach; thus minimising the bacteria present in the mouth.

Floss. Developing a good dental hygiene routine is really important when it comes to avoiding bad breath. Flossing between the teeth will remove any old particles of food, which can cause bacteria to develop. Using a mouth-wash can also help.

Avoid ‘bad breath-inducing’ drinks. Coffee and wine may be your ‘pick-me-up’ drinks throughout the day, but they’re certainly no good for your teeth. In fact, coffee and wine have both been proven to contribute significantly to bad breath, so if you want to stay odour-free, you’ll need to try to cut down on these drinks.

Avoid extreme diets. Extreme dieting, such as fasting or low-carb, high protein diets, can increase the chances of developing bad breath. It’s always a good idea to question whether a smaller waistline is worth the social embarrassment of having unpleasant smelling breath!

Concerned About Bad Breath? Book an Appointment with Your Ballincollig Dentist Today

If you’re suffering social anxiety over your bad breath, now is the time to act against it. Don’t suffer in silence with this embarrassing condition, visit your local dentist in Ballincollig today. They’ll conduct a thorough examination of your teeth and gums, before recommending action that you can take to make bad breath a thing of the past.